Pandemonium broke out in Lagos on Tuesday as policemen clashed with members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) at Taiwo Ago Palace in the Okota area of the state.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with residents and passersby scrambling for safety as the confrontation escalated.
According to reports, the police reinforced their presence in the area, arresting individuals indiscriminately on the streets.
“OPC and the police are fighting, and the police went to reinforce. Right now, they’re arresting everyone in the street,” a source told SaharaReporters.
The Lagos State Police Command has remained silent on the issue.
This is not the first time the Nigerian police and members of the OPC have clashed in Lagos.
The OPC, a socio-cultural organization, is known for its advocacy of Yoruba rights and its role in security efforts in Southwest Nigeria.
However, its relationship with law enforcement has often been strained, leading to confrontations like the one witnessed on Tuesday.
In January 2023, a similar clash between the police and OPC members turned deadly.
At least one person was confirmed dead during a standoff at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota.
The incident occurred when the OPC organized a peaceful protest as part of the Yoruba Nation agitation.
Witnesses at the time alleged that police officers fired tear-gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators, sparking a violent confrontation.
A tricycle operator who witnessed the Ojota clash described it as unwarranted violence.
“They were protesting peacefully when a policewoman ordered the officers to disperse them,” he recounted.
In Okota, the mass arrests following Tuesday’s clash have left many residents terrified.
Armed policemen patrolled the area, heightening tension and fear among locals.
“People are being picked up for no reason,” another witness said.
This atmosphere of fear has raised questions about the proportionality of the police response.
Observers and civil society groups have called for immediate de-escalation and dialogue between the police and the OPC.
Tensions between the two groups have often stemmed from mutual distrust and differing approaches to security in the region.
The OPC has repeatedly criticized the police for undermining local efforts to maintain peace.
In contrast, the police accuse OPC members of overstepping their boundaries and engaging in vigilante actions.
Tuesday’s incident highlights the need for clearer rules of engagement between law enforcement and local organizations like the OPC.
Analysts warn that repeated clashes could erode public trust in the police and worsen insecurity in Lagos and other parts of the Southwest.
The Lagos State government is yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
As investigations continue, Nigerians are watching closely to see how the authorities will address this recurring issue.
For now, the streets of Okota remain tense, and residents are left wondering if peace will return anytime soon.